North America's winningest Standardbred of 2024, Hugh Heff made his 2025 debut on Saturday, May 24 at Northside Downs and found himself in familiar territory as the focus of the track photographer.
Sent postward as the 6-5 favourite in the $1,700 Winners Over top class, Hugh Heff got away in second early for driver and co-owner Randy Getto as Revenant (Ryan Campbell) used his rail-adjacent starting spot to find the early lead. After Hugh Heff settled into the pocket, driver Gerard Kennedy chose to press the pace with the winner of this class for the first two weeks of the meet — Thunder Alley.
Thunder Alley rumbled on the outside of Revenant through fractions of :28.4, :58.2. Hugh Heff slid into the second over spot just past the half and then angled three-wide just before the 1:28.4 third station. With Thunder Alley retreating around the final turn, the front pair of Revenant and Hugh Heff separated from the field turning for home. By the head of the lane, Hugh Heff had fronted Revenant and he spread out his winning margin with every stride approaching the wire. The final time was 1:59, with Revenant next best nearly four lengths back. Thunder Alley saved the show spot.
Now five, Hugh Heff sports 33 wins in his career — 24 of which came in 2024 — with more than $107,000 in earnings. Dana Getto trains the son of Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix for brother Randy and co-owners Susan MacSween of River Ryan and Wayne Hardy of Sydney, N.S. He returned $4.30 to his win backers.
To view the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)